2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a testament to the brand's commitment to a timeless aesthetic, characterized by soft curves and rounded edges. While it maintained a modern aggression with its menacing LED headlights, it avoided the overly sharp styling seen in some competitors. The GLC's long hood and wide grille gave it a dramatic stance, reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan, emphasizing its car-like characteristics. Inside, the GLC's cabin was an automotive masterpiece, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated the interior to an art form. The GLC was available in both a conventional SUV format and a crossover "coupe" body style, with the latter sacrificing some cargo space for a sharper look.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness took a more rugged approach, with a design that stretched the notion of a station wagon towards a Jeep-like appearance. It featured increased ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. The Outback Wilderness stood out with its unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The Outback Wilderness offered generous rear seat space and a robust roof rack, making it a practical choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC offered a range of drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, but even in Comfort mode, the engine provided ample power. The AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S variants offered more potent powertrains, with the latter boasting a twin-turbo V8 producing 503 horsepower, delivering sports car-like performance.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, generating 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters. While the engine was strong, the CVT's droning and simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Outback Wilderness excelled off-road, with 23 cm of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a dual-function X-Mode traction system. It was capable of tackling challenging terrain, making it the most capable Outback ever.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, dropping to 550 litres with the seats up. The GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced these figures to 1,400 and 500 litres, respectively. The GLC provided decent rear-seat space, with ample legroom and headroom in the SUV variant. The interior featured a well-designed centre console and deep door pockets for storage.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The cabin offered generous rear seat head and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 920 litres behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack, capable of supporting a 700-pound static load for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a centre console touch controller. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a learning curve for the touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel. The GLC's infotainment system was intuitive and seamless once acclimated.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less responsive to natural commands, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered superior functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available on other Outback trims.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package for advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. The Premium Plus Package included parking sensors, which were overly sensitive and could be distracting.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It also had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The EyeSight technology was effective and unobtrusive, providing a Level 2 ADAS experience. The Outback Wilderness had not been crash-tested, but the standard Outback received high safety ratings.